Ffion Davies to serve as head coach at new luxury BJJ academy
Decorated world champion Ffion Davies will be the head coach at ARMA BJJ, which opens this August in London.
A luxury BJJ academy led by the planet’s top pound-for-pound female grappler is set to open up this summer in London.
Ffion Davies is an ADCC and multiple-time gi and no-gi world champion who is currently riding a winning streak that dates back to early 2023, and she’ll soon be adding the title of ARMA BJJ’s head coach to her resume. Located in Clapham Common, the new, state-of-the-art facility will officially open its doors on August 1.
Despite ARMA’s world-class coaching, the gym will cater to all skill levels from beginner to professional, and will even offer kids’ classes. What’s more, ARMA will provide its members with luxuries rarely seen in a typical BJJ academy, including a sauna, cold plunges, a fully equipped strength and conditioning gym, and a co-working cafe.
The gym was founded by Jake Willis and Louis Steyn, who each have a background in real estate, hospitality, and high-growth entrepreneurship.
“We don’t know anyone else offering what ARMA does, which is why we wanted to be the first to create a space that trains the body, sharpens the mind, and respects the craft in a premium setting,” said Steyn.
Memberships for ARMA start at £230 per month, and founding memberships are now available via the ARMA BJJ website.
Davies is the most accomplished European grappler in history. She first made waves at the black belt level in 2018, when she claimed gold at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, defeating respected veteran Amanda Monteiro in the tournament final.
The following year, at the ADCC World Championships, she shocked many fans with a highlight-reel armbar finish of Bia Mesquita in the semifinals of the 60kg division. While Davies would suffer defeat in the final, she roared back to ADCC gold in 2022, taking out Adele Fornarino, Mesquita, and Brianna Ste-Marie to solidify herself as a pound-for-pound powerhouse.
That same year, Davies proved she was much more than a no-gi specialist as she won her first of two consecutive IBJJF world titles in the gi.
In her most recent outing, Davies served as one half of the first-ever women’s main event at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, where she picked up a hard-fought, closely contested decision victory over current ADCC double-gold medalist Fornarino.
Considering her lengthy list of accomplishments, it’s no small surprise that the 30-year-old Welshwoman is one of the planet’s most sought-after instructors.
